Play structure for playing basketball

ABSTRACT

A play structure for the practice of basketball, comprising a base that rests on the ground, as well as:
         a lower element mounted in rotation on said base between a folded down position and an upright position;   an upper element on which is mounted a basketball backboard ( 4 ), said upper element being mounted in rotation on an upper end of said lower element between a folded position and a deployed position;   said play structure being arranged from a storage position to a position of use by successively switching the lower element from the folded down position to the upright position, then the upper element from the folded position to the deployed position, the lower element being arranged to rest on the ground in upright position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is the US national phase of International PatentApplication No. PCT/FR2015/051758, filed Jun. 29, 2015, whichapplication claims priority to French Application No. FR 1456109, filedJun. 27, 2014. The priority application, FR 1456109, is herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a play structure, in particular for thepractice of basketball.

PRIOR ART

Such play structures are known which are foldable in order to facilitatetheir implementation and their storage, especially by limiting the useof tools and/or the time required for such operations, which can beindeed dissuasive, as for the use of said structure than for itsstorage.

For example, document U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,453 describes a play structurefor the practice of basketball comprising a base that rests on theground, as well as:

a lower element mounted in rotation on said base between a folded downposition and an upright position;

an upper element on which is mounted a basketball backboard, said upperelement being mounted in rotation on an upper end of said lower elementbetween a folded position and a deployed position.

In addition, to allow adjustment of the height of the basketballbackboard, the lower element has a first portion mounted slidingly in asecond portion between a retracted position in said second portion and araised position outside of said second portion.

As such, in order to arrange the structure in position of use, it issufficient to successively switch the lower element from the folded downposition to the upright position, then the upper element from the foldedposition to the deployed position, then to raise at least partially thefirst portion of the lower element, according to the desired height forthe basketball backboard.

In the same way, to arrange the structure in storage position, it issufficient to retract possibly the first portion of the lower element inthe second portion, then to successively replace the upper element infolded position and the lower element in folded down position, the baseforming in particular a storage box of which the lid is integral inrotation with the lower element to allow the storage of the structure insaid box when said lower element is replaced in folded down position.

However, this structure do not provide full satisfaction, in that itsstructure remains relatively complicated. Moreover, to assure itsmaintain in position of use, the structure presents only oblique armsmounted in rotation on the base and on the lower element and destined tobe deployed during the passage of said lower element in uprightposition, which is not sufficient to prevent its vertical tipping over.

The invention aims to improve prior art by proposing in particular aplay structure easy to assemble in order to its use and which, in foldedstorage position, comprises a minimal encumbrance and is easy to carry,and this while ensuring an optimum maintaining in position of use toavoid any risk of tipping over.

To this effect, the invention proposes a play structure for the practiceof basketball, comprising a base that rests on the ground, as well as:

a lower element mounted in rotation on said base between a folded downposition and an upright position;

an upper element on which is mounted a basketball backboard, said upperelement being mounted in rotation on an upper end of said lower elementbetween a folded position and a deployed position;

said play structure being arranged from a storage position to a positionof use by successively switching the lower element from the folded downposition to the upright position, then the upper element from the foldedposition to the deployed position, the lower element being arranged torest on the ground in upright position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other particularities and advantages of the invention shall appear inthe following description, given in reference to the annexed figures,wherein:

FIG. 1a shows a perspective play structure according to the invention instorage position;

FIG. 1b shows a side view of the play structure of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2a shows a play structure according to the invention wherein thelower element is in an upright position;

FIG. 2b shows a side view of the play structure of FIG. 1a , in theposition illustrated in FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3a shows a play structure according to the invention in position ofuse, wherein the lower element is in upright position and the upperelement is in a deployed position;

FIG. 3b shows a side view of the play structure of FIG. 1a , in the useposition illustrated in FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4a shows a play structure according to the invention in position ofuse, wherein the first portion of the lower element is furthermorearranged in raised position outside of the second portion of said lowerelement;

FIG. 4b shows a side view of the play structure of FIG. 1a , in the useposition illustrated in FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 partially show a longitudinal cross-section of the play structureaccording to FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 5a is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a lower end of the lowerelement of the play structure;

FIG. 5b is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an upper end of the lowerelement of the play structure;

FIG. 6 shows a top perspective of the base of the play structure ofFIGS. 1a to 4b , with the lower element in an upright position; and

FIG. 7 shows a right rear perspective view of the base of the playstructure of FIGS. 1a to 4b , with the lower element in an uprightposition.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In relation with these figures, a play structure is describedhereinbelow for the practice of basketball.

The play structure comprises a base 1 that rests on the ground, a lowerelement 2 mounted in rotation on said base between a folded downposition and an upright position, as well as an upper element 3 on whichis mounted a basketball backboard 4 and which is mounted in rotation onan upper end of said lower element between a retracted position and anupright position.

As such, the structure can be arranged between a storage position,wherein the lower 2 and upper 3 elements are respectively in folded downand folded position, and a position of use, wherein the lower 2 andupper 3 elements are respectively in upright and deployed position, andthis by successively switching the lower element 2 from the folded downposition to the upright position, then the upper element 3 from thefolded position to the deployed position.

The base 1 comprises a central frame 5 on which the lower element 2 ismounted in rotation, as well as wheels 6 mounted on the frame 5 in orderto allow for the movement of the structure. In relation with FIG. 6, thewheels 6 each include a hub integral with the central frame 5, said hubsbeing arranged in order to allow the wheels 6 to rotate independentlyone from the other.

In particular, at least some of the wheels 6 are arranged in order to beable to be filled with a ballast material, for example water or sand, inorder to form a counterweight to the lower element 2 in uprightposition. To do this, the wheels that can be filled 6 each include acylindrical reservoir on the periphery of which an opening 7 is arrangedin order to allow them to be filled with such a ballast material.

For a good distribution of the weight, the wheels that can be filled 6are distributed in pairs on either side of the central frame 5. Inrelation with the figures, the base 1 comprises in particular threepairs of wheels that can be filled 6 distributed on either side of thecentral frame 5.

Moreover, the axis of revolution of the reservoirs extends horizontallyand perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame 5, so that thebase 1 can be moved by rolling said reservoirs on their periphery.

With regards to the mounting of the lower element 2, the central frame 5has a front end on which said lower element is mounted in rotation. Assuch, in order to arrange the play structure in position of use, theuser firstly switches the lower element 2 from the folded down position(FIG. 1) to the upright position (FIG. 2) by pivoting it in relation tothe front end of the central frame 5.

In particular, in order to facilitate the arrangement of the structurein position of use, said structure comprises a system for assisting inthe moving of the lower element 2 in upright position. Such a system forassisting is all the more so desirable in that the user, by moving thelower element 2 in upright position, must not only manipulate said lowerelement, but also the upper element 3 arranged in folded position onsaid lower element, as well as the basketball backboard 4 mounted onsaid upper element, which can prove to be constraining in light of thetotal weight of the whole.

In relation with the figures, the system for assisting comprises alinking arm 8 that has a first end mounted in rotation on the lowerelement 2, as well as a second end mounted in translation on the base 1,for example on a rail formed for this purpose on the central frame 5.

Moreover, the system for assisting comprises spring means 9 mounted onthe central frame 5 on either side of the second end of the linking arm8, said spring means being arranged to actuate the translation of thelinking arm 8 with respect to the central frame 5, in such a way as toassist the moving of the lower element 2 in upright position.

To do this, the spring means 9 are blocked in constrained position whenthe lower element 2 is in folded down position. For example, the springmeans 9 can be compression—respectively traction—springs which arecontracted—respectively stretched—when the lower element 2 is in foldeddown position, in such a way as to accompany the translation of thelinking arm 8 by expanding—respectively by contracting—to their restposition.

In order to ensure safety, whether during the use of the structure orduring its arrangement in position of use, said structure furthercomprises a system for blocking 10 the lower element 2 in uprightposition, in order to prevent said lower element from tipping over in anuntimely manner in folded down position.

In particular, the system for blocking 10 comprises means for blockingthe linking arm 8 in translation and/or in rotation, in particular studs11 carried by one among said linking arm and the lower element 2, saidstuds being intended to be blocked in a device for receiving carried bythe other among the lower element 2 and the linking arm 8 when saidlower element is in upright position.

In relation with the figures, the device for receiving comprises a plate12 which is mounted in rotation on the lower element 2 and which has aslot for blocking studs 11 mounted on the linking arm 8.

As such, during the deployment of the lower element 2 in uprightposition, the studs 11 are positioned in the slot for blocking of theplate 12, in such a way as to activate the system for blocking 10.

Moreover, in order to arrange the structure in storage position, theplate 12 is actuated manually in rotation in order to unblock the studs11 from the slot, in such a way as to be able to move the linking arm 8in translation and as such allow for the arrangement of the lowerelement 2 in folded down position.

In relation with FIG. 7, the system for blocking 10 also comprises ahook 13 mounted in rotation on the linking arm 8 and intended to bemanually hooked to a front transversal bar 14 mounted above the rail onthe central frame 5, so as to prevent the translation of said linkingarm in said rail and as such contribute to the blocking of the lowerelement 2 in upright position.

In order to provide further stability to the structure when it isarranged in position of use, the lower element 2 is arranged to rest onthe ground in upright position, which makes it possible to prevent thetipping over of said structure in said position of use.

To do this, the lower element 2 comprises two legs 15 mounted on eitherside of its lower end and intended to rest on the ground when said lowerelement is in upright position. As such, the legs 15 provide betterstability to the structure by preventing in particular the tipping overthereof on the sides, and this in combination with the base 1 whichforms a counterweight in order to prevent it from tipping over towardsthe front or towards the rear. The legs 15 also make it possible toprevent the base 1 from rolling when the play structure is in positionof use.

Once the lower element 2 is in upright position, the user can arrangethe play structure in position of use by switching the upper element 3from the folded position (FIG. 2), in which said upper element isarranged against said lower element, to the deployed position (FIG. 3),and this by manually pivoting said upper element in relation to theupper end of the lower element 2 on which it is mounted in rotation.

The upper element 3 comprises a free end on which the basketballbackboard 4 is mounted, said backboard comprising a board 4 a and a hoop4 b on which a net can be hung.

In order to limit the encumbrance of the play structure when it isarranged in storage position, the basketball backboard 4 can be arrangedin such a way as to be folded back against the upper element 3 which isitself arranged against the lower element 2 when arranged in foldedposition. To do this, the basketball backboard 4 can be mounted inrotation on the free end of the upper element 3.

Moreover, the hoop 4 b can be mounted in rotation on the backboard 4 soas to be folded back against the board 4 a when the play structure is instorage position. Alternatively, the hoop 4 b can be reversibly mountedon the backboard 4 by means of a system without a tool, in order toallow the user to easily dismount said hoop when he wishes to store theplay structure.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper element 3 comprisestwo pairs of upper 3 a and lower 3 b parallel bars that each have a rearend mounted in rotation on the upper end of the lower element 2, as wellas a front end on which the basketball backboard 4 is mounted inrotation. As such, the upper element 3 forms a deformable parallelogramthat allows the user to switch said upper element into deployed positionand to upright the basketball backboard 4 in a single gesture.

Furthermore, in order to facilitate the arrangement of the upper element3 in deployed position, said upper element comprises a handle 16 thatthe user can grasp in order to manipulate said upper element.

The play structure further comprises a system for locking the upperelement 3 in deployed position, in order to prevent any untimely tippingover of said upper element in folded position, in particular during theuse of the structure, and as such ensure the safety of the users.

To do this, the system for locking comprises a hook 17 mounted on oneamong the upper 3 and lower 2 elements, said hook being hooked manuallyon the other among said lower and upper elements when said upper elementis in deployed position. In particular, the hook 17 can be mounted inrotation in order to facilitate the manipulation thereof by the user.

In relation with FIG. 5b , the hook 17 is mounted on the upper element 3and the lower element 2 comprises a device carrying a pin 18 on whichsaid hook is hooked when said upper element is in deployed position.

In the FIG. 3, the lower element 2 is in upright position and the upperelement 3 is in deployed position, the basketball backboard 4 and thehoop 4 b that it carries being upright towards the front. The playstructure can therefore be used.

However, according to the level of practice of the user, his age and/orhis size, the height of the backboard 4 can be adjusted. To do this, thelower element 2 comprises a first portion 2 a mounted slidingly in asecond portion 2 b between a retracted position in said second portion(FIG. 3) and a raised position outside of said second portion (FIG. 4),said lower element being provided with a system for actuating themovement of said first portion in raised position.

In particular, the lower end of the second portion 2 b is mounted inrotation on the central frame 5 and carries the two legs 15, and theupper element 3 is mounted in rotation on an upper end of the firstportion 2 a.

In relation with the FIG. 5, the system for actuating comprises a strap19 of which a first end is fastened to the second portion 2 b, saidstrap being mounted on a means for winding around its second end. Inparticular, the means for winding comprises a crank 20 mounted on thesecond portion 2 b, in particular on a case 21 carried by said secondportion and inside of which the second end of the strap 19 opens inorder to be wound around said crank.

Furthermore, the second portion 2 b comprises a slide 22 fastened on itsupper end, with the strap 19 sliding outside of said slide during itswinding around its second end.

Moreover, the first portion 2 a is bearing on the strap 19 between itsfirst and second ends in order to be able to be moved in raisedposition—respectively retracted—by winding—respectively unwinding—ofsaid strap.

In relation with the FIGS. 5 and 5 a, the first portion 2 a comprises aslide 23 formed on its lower end and wherein the strap 19 slides duringthe actuating of the system.

In order to prevent the total weight of the first portion 2 a—upperelement 3—basketball backboard 4 unit from resting on the strap 19, inparticular on the portion of said strap arranged in the slide 23 of saidfirst portion, the system for actuating can include a safety devicewhich, when it is actuated, supports said first portion in order toblock it at the desired height.

In particular, such a safety device can comprise a pin intended to bearranged in an orifice formed on the first portion 2 a and correspondingto a desired height for the backboard 4, with the user pulling said pinoutside of said orifice before unwinding the strap 19 of the means forwinding 20 when he wishes to retract said first portion in said secondportion 2 b, for example during the arranging of the structure instorage position.

In order to ensure the safety of users during the use of the playstructure, the system for actuating further comprises a device forblocking the first portion 2 a in raised position, in order to preventany untimely movement of said first portion towards its retractedposition, and therefore any abrupt and uncontrolled lowering, andtherefore potentially dangerous, of the basketball backboard 4.

To do this, the device for blocking is in particular arranged to blockthe means for winding 20 the strap 19, in such a way that the user hasto manually actuate said device in order to be able to unwind said strapand as such arrange the first portion 2 a in retracted position.

In particular, the device for blocking can be a safety device with a pinsuch as described hereinabove, of which the pin is arranged to block thefirst portion 2 a in raised position while blocking in rotation themeans for winding 20 the strap 19. As such, in order to be able tounwind the strap 19, the user is required to first remove the pin, whichmakes it possible to prevent the strap 19 from being unwound while thefirst portion 2 a is blocked in raised position. Indeed, if the userwere to unblock the first portion 2 a while the strap 19 is unwound,said first portion would abruptly slide in the second portion 2 b, whichwould result in an abrupt and uncontrolled descent, and thereforepotentially dangerous, of the basketball backboard 4.

According to another embodiment, the device for blocking can include aratchet wheel comprising teeth on its circumference and integral inrotation with the means for winding 20, as well as a latch intended tosnap fit into one of the teeth of said wheel when the means for winding20 is actuated to wind the strap 19 and raise the first portion 2 a, insuch a way as to form an abutment with said tooth in order to preventthe rotation of said means in the reverse direction of unwinding of saidstrap. As such, in order to be able to unwind the strap 19 and retractthe first portion 2 a, the user must first manually release the latch ofthe ratchet wheel.

According to another embodiment, in particular when the means forwinding comprises a crank 20, the device for blocking can also comprisea means intended to interfere with said crank in order to prevent therotation thereof in the direction of unwinding of the strap 19. Inparticular, the system for actuating comprises a latch 24 mounted inrotation on the second portion 2 b in the vicinity of the crank 20, theuser manually turns said latch in order to arrange it against the handleof the crank 20 in order to block the latter in rotation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A play structure for the practice of basketball,comprising a base that rests on the ground, as well as: a lower elementmounted in rotation on said base between a folded down position and anupright position; an upper element on which is mounted a basketballbackboard, said upper element being mounted in rotation on an upper endof said lower element between a folded position and a deployed position;said play structure being arranged from a storage position to a positionof use by successively switching the lower element from the folded downposition to the upright position, then the upper element from the foldedposition to the deployed position, said play structure beingcharacterised in that the lower element is arranged to rest on theground in upright position.
 2. The play structure according to claim 1,further comprising a system for assisting in the moving of the lowerelement in upright position.
 3. The play structure according to claim 2,the system for assisting including a linking arm that has a first endmounted in rotation on the lower element, as well as a second endmounted in translation on the base.
 4. The play structure according toclaim 3, the system for assisting including spring means mounted on thebase on either side of the second end of the linking arm.
 5. The playstructure according to claim 4, the spring means being in constrainedposition when the lower element is in folded down position.
 6. The playstructure according to claim 3, further comprising a system for blockingthe lower element in upright position.
 7. The play structure accordingto claim 6, the system for blocking comprising means for blocking thelinking arm in translation and/or in rotation.
 8. The play structureaccording to claim 7, the system for blocking including studs carried byone among the linking arm and the lower element, said studs beingintended to be blocked in a device for receiving carried by the otheramong the lower element and the linking arm when said lower element isin upright position.
 9. The play structure according to claim 1, thelower element including two legs mounted on either side of its lower endand intended to rest on the ground when said lower element is in uprightposition.
 10. The play structure according to claim 1, furthercomprising a device for locking the upper element in deployed position.11. The play structure according to claim 10, the device for lockingcomprises a hook mounted on one among the upper and lower elements, saidhook being hooked manually on the other among said lower and upperelements when said upper element is in deployed position.
 12. The playstructure according to claim 1, the upper element including two pairs ofupper and lower parallel bars that each have a rear end mounted inrotation on a free end of the lower element and a front end on which thebasketball backboard is mounted in rotation.
 13. The play structureaccording to claim 1, the lower element including a first portionmounted slidingly in a second portion between a retracted position insaid second portion and a raised position outside of said secondportion, said lower element being provided with a system for actuatingthe movement of said first portion in raised position.
 14. The playstructure according to claim 13, the system for actuating including astrap of which a first end is fastened to the second portion, with saidstrap being mounted on a means for winding around its second end, withthe first portion bearing on said strap between its first and secondends in order to be able to be moved in raised—respectivelyretracted—position by winding—respectively unwinding—of said strap. 15.The play structure according to claim 1, the base including: a centralframe on which the lower element is mounted in rotation; wheels mountedon said frame in order to allow said structure to be moved.
 16. The playstructure according to claim 15, at least some of the wheels beingarranged in order to be able to be filled with a ballast material inorder to form a counterweight to the element in upright position inorder for said structure to be used.